Warrior Run School District
Warrior Run High School
Social Studies Department
Sociology
Curriculum
Prepared by:
Richard T. Nornhold, Jr.
September 2006
Introduction
Sociology
Scope:
This course is an elective intended for students in the 11th or 12th grade. It is
a semester course and may not be counted towards the four social studies
credits all Warrior Run students need for graduation: The course has several
major goals which are interrelated to each other. These goals are:
1. To introduce students to the study of sociology.
2. To give students an understanding of human society and its
relationships.
3. To help students analyze the forces that shape their environment.
4. To help students recognize forces of change in society.
5. To develop a working vocabulary of sociology and to recognize
the various approaches to the study of this topic.
6. To encourage students to understand the forces of society by better
understanding “Old Order” groups in our community that resist
those forces.
Sequence:
1. Introduction to Sociological terms, methods, and vocabulary – 3
weeks
2. Sociological origins and various approaches to the study of society
– 3 weeks
3. McDonaldization of America – 2 weeks
4. Culture, Counter Culture, Sub Culture – 2 weeks
5. Socialization of Individuals in Society (personality) – 2 weeks
6. Deviance and Social Control – 2 weeks
7. Amish and Old Order Groups in our Society – 4 weeks
Course Activities:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Instructor led classroom discussions
Student Activities as prepared by the teacher
Class lecture presentations
Videos and selected movies
Library/Internet assigned readings
Selected reading assignments from textbook
Research project on the Amish or an Old Order group
Power Point presentation to the class
Expected Levels of Achievement
1. All students will keep a notebook containing notes, quizzes, tests,
handouts, and research materials.
2. All students are expected to complete all reading and written
assignments on time, and to participate in all class discussions,
activities and simulations.
3. All students are expected to take notes and to maintain a wellorganized notebook.
4. Each student is expected to behave in a manner appropriate to the
classroom, and to be on time and to accept responsibility for
making up all work missed due to absences.
5. All students are expected to make a “reasonable best effort” to
work with others on class projects and presentations.
Methods of Evaluation
1. Class participation as the result of teacher-led questioning and
discussions.
2. Quizzes and tests
3. Class projects
4. Research and Power Point presentation
5. Out of class assignments
6. Teacher observation of student interaction during structured
classroom activities
Resources
1. Textbook: (for vocabulary and selected readings only) Sociology
and You
2. Internet
3. Library and computer labs
4. Selected readings
Sociology Course Content
I.
Introduction to Sociology
A. Daily Routine
B. Relationship to other Social Sciences
C. Sociological Perspective
1.
2.
3.
4.
Structure
Patterns
Conformity
Theoretical Perspective
D. Origins of Sociology
1. European Origins
a. Forces responsible for creation of Sociology
b. Early Pioneers
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
v.
vi.
Auguste Comte
Harriet Martineau
Herbert Spencer
Karl Marx
Emile Durkheim
Max Weber
2. Sociology in America
a. University of Chicago
b. Jane Adams
c. W.E.B. DuBois
II. Sociological Concepts
A. Forces in Society
1.
2.
3.
4.
Structure
Function
Patterns
Change in Society
B. Research Study
1. Rationalization as Method of Research
2. George Ritzer and Mcdonaldization of America
a.
b.
c.
d.
Efficiency
Predictability
Calculability
Control
3. McUniversity
III. Culture Study
A. Theoretical Perspective
1. Functionalism
2. Conflict Theory
3. Symbolic Interactionism
B. Components of Culture
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Traits
Complexes
Patterns
Universals
Alternatives
Specialties
Counter Culture
Sub Culture
IV. Socialization of Individuals
A.
B.
C.
D.
Personality
Nature v. Nurture
Birth Order
Deviance
i.
ii.
iii.
iv.
Innovation
Ritualism
Retreatism
Rebellion
E. Social Control
v.
vi.
vii.
V.
Positive Sanctions
Negative Sanctions
Strain Theory
Case Study – The Amish and Old Order
Groups
A. Elements of Social Bonds
1.
2.
3.
4.
Attachment
Commitment
Involvement
Beliefs
B. Change in Society
1. Types of Change
a. Incremental
b. Comprehensive
c. Revolutionary
2. Factors leading to change
a.
b.
c.
d.
Environment
Technology
War and disaster
Migration
C. Student Research and Power Point Presentations addressing
these issues in specific areas of Old Order groups
1. Research Paper
2. Power Point Presentation